NAPLAN marker frequently asked questions (FAQs)

To be a NAPLAN marker, you need to have a current Queensland College of Teachers registration number or have previously held a Queensland College of Teachers registration number (e.g. a retired teacher) that has not been suspended or cancelled. Permission to Teach registration is not accepted.

If you have this, you are invited to apply online through the Assessor Jobs application (app) in the QCAA Portal.

All practising Queensland teachers require principal authorisation (PDF, 607.4 KB) to mark in the NAPLAN marking operation before their application can be processed. Markers should confirm this verbally with the principal before applying.

After the application is submitted, the principal will receive an email notification containing a link to the Assessor Jobs app (QCAA Portal), where they can formally approve the application.

To authorise marker applications, the principal must be confirmed in the QCAA Portal by an Organisation Administrator at the school. Before submitting your application, please check that your principal has been confirmed. For instructions on how an Organisation Administrator can confirm a principal in the QCAA Portal, see Accessing QCAA Portal.

If the principal does not authorise the application within two weeks, the available position may be offered to another applicant.

The NAPLAN Marker – practising Queensland teacher (PQT) vacancy is for:

• practising Queensland teachers assigned to a school (full-time, part-time or contract)
• permanent teachers on leave (e.g. parental leave or long service leave).

The NAPLAN marker —other eligible applicant (OEA)vacancy is for:

• retired teachers
• non-practising teachers
• casual/supply teachers
• contract teachers not currently assigned to a school.

All applicants must hold a Queensland College of Teachers registration number. Expired or inactive registration numbers are acceptable, as long as the registration has not been suspended or cancelled. All applicants must hold, or have held, full or provisional QCT registration.

Other eligible applicants who will be employed at a school on a permanent or contract basis at the same time as the NAPLAN marking operation should advise the QCAA by emailing naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au or phoning 1300 214 452.

The QCAA acknowledges that workload commitments vary. All NAPLAN markers have the flexibility to set their own work hours provided they:

• mark continuously for a minimum of 2 hours for at least 5 days of each week of the marking operation
• are available to attend scheduled meetings during their nominated meeting window (either 4–6 pm or 6–8 pm) each weekday they mark
• check for scheduled meetings at the start of their nominated meeting window, each weekday they mark
• share their availability on Saturdays or Sundays with the group leaders and are available to attend meetings within their meeting window.

These expectations are the minimum requirement and markers are encouraged to work more hours if able to do so.

There are different commitment requirements for group leaders and professional leaders, as outlined in the role description.

Applicants are required to select a two-hour meeting window during which they guarantee availability for scheduled meetings.

The marker meeting windows are:

• Window A: 4–6 pm
• Window B: 6–8 pm.

Group leaders and professional leaders are required to be available to attend/run online meetings between 4 pm and 8 pm.

Note: Meetings may also be required outside meeting windows and on weekends when the marker is marking online or by negotiation. Markers will share their availability on Saturdays or Sundays with the group leaders at the commencement of the marking operation.

The NAPLAN marker application in Assessor Jobs includes a section where applicants can express their interest in the group leader and professional leader roles.

If you are applying to be a group leader or professional leader, it is important that your application includes evidence of:

• NAPLAN marking experience
• literacy teaching experience or other experience to demonstrate the literacy knowledge required to mark an extended writing task using the NAPLAN writing marking rubric
• leadership experience and skills and/or experience in marking moderation activities.
  Some examples of skills that you could provide experience in include:
  • communication skills
  • managing having difficult conversations
  • mentoring others
  • providing feedback
  • data analysis.

Please be clear and explicit when addressing your experience and skills. Use full names for specific school-based programs, rather than acronyms.

Many aspects of the Application form will require you to click on a green button titled ‘Add‘ or ’Add new role‘ to include additional information. It is important that each section of the application form is completed as thoroughly as possible and reflects teaching experience (including subject areas for secondary teachers or year levels for primary teachers).

Applications are completed online through the Assessor Jobs app (QCAA Portal).

Note: It may be necessary to scroll down the list of other QCAA roles open for application to locate the NAPLAN marking vacancies.

Before you apply:

• practising Queensland teachers:
  • seek verbal approval from your principal to mark in the NAPLAN marking operation
  • check that your principal is confirmed in the QCAA Portal so they can authorise the application. For instructions on how an Organisation Administrator can confirm a principal in the QCAA Portal, see Accessing QCAA Portal.
• other eligible applicants:
  • complete the Introduction to NAPLAN Marking course in the Assessment Literacy app (QCAA Portal).

To submit the application:

1. Log in to the QCAA Portal.
   • To register for a Portal account: refer to the FAQ I don’t have a QCAA Portal account. What should I do?
2. Open Assessor Jobs.
3. Click the Vacancies tab at the top of the screen.
4. Scroll down or type ‘NAPLAN’ into the Position field to find the NAPLAN marker — practising Queensland teacher vacancy or the NAPLAN marker — other eligible applicant vacancy.
5. Click the Select button next to the relevant vacancy and then click Apply for vacancy.
6. Follow the instructions on each page to complete the application.
7. Review and confirm the application details.
8. Click Finish to submit the application. An email will be sent confirming that the application has been submitted.

For clarification on which vacancy to use, refer to the FAQ Which NAPLAN marker vacancy should I apply for?

Refer to the following FAQs if the correct vacancy does not appear in the list:

• I can only see the OEA vacancy when I log in to the QCAA Portal, but I am a practising Queensland teacher. What should I do?
• I can only see the PQT vacancy when I log in to the QCAA Portal, but I am an other eligible applicant. What should I do?

Practising Queensland teachers:

1. Click Register for a QCAA Portal account on the QCAA Portal landing page.
2. Follow the instructions to register for an account.

Other eligible applicants:

1. Visit: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/portal/home/landing/#/!/register-non-school
2. Read the QCAA Portal terms of use and click Accept.
3. Enter your details on the Register to access the QCAA Portal page, and then click Next.
4. Enter your email address and click Send code. An email with a verification code will be sent.
5. Continue to follow the instructions in the email to complete account registration.

Note: Access to the QCAA Portal may take a few days. An email notification will be sent when your account has been activated.

Log into the QCAA Portal and click the My Details application.

• To change email address: under Personal details, click Edit. Enter the new Login email and then click Save.
• To change personal details: locate the information that needs updating, click the Edit button and update. Go to the QCAA employment section to change date of birth details.

To link your QCAA Portal account with a new school: follow the instructions How to transfer your QCAA Portal account.

Email ClientServices@qcaa.qld.edu.au for help logging in to QCAA Portal accounts or if the Assessor Jobs application isn’t showing after logging in.

1. Log in to the QCAA Portal.
2. Check the selected organisation in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Click on the dropdown arrow next to the organisation to select a different organisation.
4. Click on your school name to select it as your current organisation.
5. Open Assessor Jobs.
6. Click the Vacancies tab at the top of the screen.
7. Scroll down or type ‘NAPLAN’ into the Position field. The NAPLAN Marker — Practising Queensland teacher vacancy should now be visible.
8. Click Select then Apply for vacancy.

If your school is not listed as an available organisation, follow the instructions on How to transfer your QCAA Portal account.

1. Log in to the QCAA Portal.
2. Check the selected organisation in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Click on the dropdown arrow next to the organisation to select a different organisation.
4. If available, select ‘QCAA Assessors’ as your organisation.
5. Open Assessor Jobs.
6. Click the Vacancies tab at the top of the screen.
7. Scroll down or type ‘NAPLAN’ into the Position field. The NAPLAN marker — other eligible applicant vacancy should now be visible.
8. Click Select then Apply for vacancy.

If you do not have access to the QCAA Assessors organisation, or the PQT vacancy is still visible, contact QCAA’s Client Services team on (07) 3864 0299 or ClientServices@qcaa.qld.edu.au.

For clarification on which vacancy to use, refer to the FAQ Which NAPLAN marker vacancy should I apply for?

If you have not received an offer before changing schools:

1. Follow the instructions on How to transfer your QCAA Portal account to update your school in the QCAA Portal.
2. Get verbal approval from your new principal to mark in the NAPLAN marking operation. Check that the principal is confirmed as principal in the QCAA Portal, so they can authorise your application.
3. Once updated in the QCAA Portal, the new school name will show in the top-right corner of the QCAA Portal screen. Email naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au with the name of the new school to advise that a change of school has occurred.

If you have received or accepted an offer before changing schools:

1. Follow the instructions on How to transfer your QCAA Portal account to update your school in the QCAA Portal.
2. Seek approval to mark from the new principal. If the new principal does not give their approval, withdraw from the marking operation.
3. After confirming connection to the new school in the QCAA Portal and approval from the new principal, email naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au with the name of the new school to advise that a change of school has occurred. The QCAA will contact the new principal to confirm written authorisation.

At the start of the marking operation, appointed markers will be asked to confirm their availability with their group leader. Changes to availability can be communicated at this time.

First, withdraw your OEA application:

1. Log in to the QCAA Portal and open Assessor Jobs.
2. Go to My applications and find your NAPLAN marker — other eligible applicant application.
3. Click Select and then View vacancy.
4. In the top-right corner of the screen, click Withdraw application.
5. Exit Assessor Jobs.
6. Your QCAA Portal account will need to be connected to your organisation (school). Follow the instructions in the FAQ I can only see the other eligible applicant vacancy when I log in to the QCAA Portal, but I am a practising Queensland teacher. What should I do?

If the other eligible applicant vacancy is still visible, phone Client Services on (07) 3864 0299 or email ClientServices@qcaa.qld.edu.au for assistance.

First, withdraw your PQT application:

1. Log in to the QCAA Portal and open Assessor Jobs.
2. Go to My applications and find your NAPLAN marker — practising Queensland teacher application.
3. Click Select and then View vacancy.
4. In the top-right corner, click Withdraw application.
5. Exit Assessor Jobs.
6. Follow the steps listed in the FAQ I can only see the practising Queensland teacher vacancy when I log in to the QCAA Portal, but I am an other eligible applicant. What should I do?

If you will be employed at a school on a permanent or contract basis at the same time as the NAPLAN marking operation, advise the QCAA by emailing naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au or phoning 1300 214 452.

Other eligible applicants (OEAs) who have not completed the Introduction to NAPLAN Marking course (previously called the NAPLAN Accreditation Course) must successfully complete the Introduction to NAPLAN Marking course and assessment before applying in Assessor Jobs.

To access the course:

1. Log in to the QCAA Portal and open Assessor Jobs.
2. On the Homepage, scroll down until you see the heading NAPLAN marker — other eligible applicant.
3. Under the NAPLAN marker — other eligible applicant heading, there will be a message stating that you have not completed the requirements for this role. Click the Open Assessment Literacy button underneath this message to open the course.
4. Complete the Introduction to NAPLAN Marking course by following the instructions contained within the course.
5. Once you have completed the course, click the Exit button near the top of the window.
6. Click the Take assessment button to start the assessment. If you cannot find the assessment:
   • Log out then back in to the QCAA Portal.
   • Open the Assessment Literacy application.
   • Scroll down and select the Introduction to NAPLAN Marking course.
   • Click the Take assessment button in the top-right corner to start the assessment.
7. Complete and submit the assessment.
8. Once completed, log out of the QCAA Portal.
9. Log back in to the QCAA Portal.
10. Go back to Assessor Jobs and submit your application for the NAPLAN marker — other eligible applicant vacancy.

Successful completion of the assessment automatically opens access to the OEA vacancy in Assessor Jobs.

Note: The course consists of course content and a separate assessment component. After completing the course, you will need to go back and click on the assessment link. If an error message occurs stating that you have not completed the course, it is most likely because the assessment component has not been submitted. Follow Step 6 (above) above to access the assessment.

If you are appointed as a marker, group leader or professional leader, you will need to attend a combination of self-paced online course modules and live training before you are eligible to mark student scripts. Training is paid at the hourly rate detailed in the relevant role descriptions. Completion of all components of training is required to commence marking. This includes but is not limited to attendance for the entire duration of live training,

All marking for the NAPLAN marking operation takes place remotely using an online marking platform.

Markers must have their own devices that meet the ICT requirements.

All markers are required to mark from the start of the marking operation. Once marking has commenced, a marker who wishes to cease their marking engagement for reasons such as the start of school holidays is required to notify their group leader and provide a written statement of their intention to withdraw from the operation, including their intended end date by emailing naplan@qcaa.qld.edu.au.

Group leaders and professional leaders are expected to mark for the duration of the marking operation.

To withdraw an application before accepting an offer:

1. Log into the QCAA Portal and go to Assessor Jobs.
2. Go to My applications, find your NAPLAN marker application and click Select > View vacancy.
3. In the top right-hand corner, click Withdraw application.

If you have already accepted an offer, email your intention to withdraw to naplan@qcaa.edu.au.

Markers are paid either an hourly rate or a piece rate depending on the activity undertaken. Group leaders and professional leaders are paid at an hourly rate. Refer to the role description for role-specific pay rates.